How to find and open the AppData folder on Windows 10

When you install a program on Windows 10, it saves files in two places: Program Files or Program Files (x86) and the AppData folder. This is true for the vast majority of apps, but some will only install to the AppData folder, while others will only install to Program Files or Program Files (x86) and not to AppData. The AppData folder is specific to each user and contains user-specific app settings. Local, LocalLow, and Roaming are the three subfolders.

Open the AppData folder on Windows 10

The AppData folder on Windows 10 is easy to access. Although you can open it from a user’s folder, the AppData folder is hidden by default, so you won’t see it unless you choose to show hidden files.

Show hidden files/folders

It’s simple to see hidden files and folders in Windows 10.

Open File Explorer.
Go to the View tab.
Enable/check the Hidden items folder.

1. Open User folder

You can now open your user folder and access the AppData folder after enabling hidden items to show on Windows 10.

Tap the Win+R keyboard shortcut to open the run box.
In the run box, enter a period i.e. . and tap the Enter key.
The user folder will open.
Look for the AppData folder. Its icon will be faded. Double-click to open it.

2. Direct access

Users can also open the AppData folder directly. Going through the user folder isn’t necessary.

Tap the Win+R keyboard shortcut to open the run box.
In the run box, enter %AppData%, and tap the Enter key.
A new File Explorer window will open to the AppData’s Roaming folder.
Click the ‘AppData’ folder in the location bar to go to the main AppData folder.

Deleting folders in AppData

Local, LocalLow, and Roaming are the three main sub-folders in AppData that should never be deleted. The folders within these folders can be deleted, but make sure you don’t intend to use the app for which the folder was created. It’s safe to delete an app’s folder from AppData after it’s been uninstalled.

Conclusion

AppData is only difficult to access if you are unaware that it is a hidden folder. It’s fairly easy to access once it’s been unhidden. If you need to access it frequently, you can also pin it to Quick Access in File Explorer’s navigation bar, create a desktop shortcut for it, and pin it to the Start menu. Remember that this folder is created for each user on a system, and the contents of the folder will vary from one user to the next.